The beneficial results of industry and the application of businesslike
methods in affairs are illustrated in the life of William E. Woods, who is
the owner of a productive farm in Bird township and is known as one of the
reliable men of this section. He was born in the neighborhood where he now
lives March 8, 1856, and for more than fifty years has been a witness of the
development of Macoupin county. His parents were William and Janet (Hughes)
Woods, the former of whom was born in Yorkshire, England, August 2, 1810.
The father emigrated to America before his marriage and first located in
Greene county, Illinois, where he lived until 1833. He then came to Bird
township, Macoupin county, and selected a home in section 33, on a partially
improved tract of land. He acquired some of the surrounding prairie and
became the owner of a well-developed farm. Here he spent the remainder of
his life, being called away in 1876. The mother of our subject was born in
Ayreshire, Scotland. She came to America in her girlhood and was married in
this country to Mr. Woods. They were the parents of nine children, namely:
Abraham, who served for the Union in the Civil war and is now living at
Carlinville; Peter, James and Edward, all of whom are deceased; Benjamin, a
farmer of Polk township; Agnes, who married W. D. Goodell, of Corydon, Iowa;
William E., of this review; George, deceased; and Paul, who is engaged in
farming in Bird township. The father of our subject was twice married and by
his first marriage had four children: Olive, Isaac and John, all of whom are
deceased; and Mary, who is now living in Greene county, Illinois. The mother
of William E. Woods died in 1894.
William E. Woods received his
early education in the public schools and continued at home, assisting in
farm work until he was twenty-four years of age. He then located on an
adjacent farm where he has ever since resided. His place comprises one
hundred and forty acres and is situated on sections 32 and 33, Bird
township. He has applied himself with excellent judgment and the
improvements on his farm compare favorably with any in this part of the
county. His methods have been practical and progressive and each year
witnesses a gratifying increase in his prosperity.
In 1880 Mr. Woods
was married to Miss Mary Rafferty. They have one child, Janet, who is the
wife of Charles W. Arnett, a farmer of Bird township. Mrs. Woods died in
1885, and in 1889 Mr. Woods was married to Mrs. Mary E. Carr, widow of John
Carr and a daughter of Samuel Comer. She has proved to him a constant
encouragement and support.
Mr. Woods was reared as a member of a
large family and in his youth gained lessons of industry and self-reliance
that proved of inestimable value in shaping his character and determining
his success as a business man. He is now in a large measure financially
independent and is respected as one of the wide-awake and substantial
citizens of this region. In politics he is a republican. He has filled the
office of tax collector in the township, discharging his duties in a way
that indicated his trustworthiness and high sense of personal
responsibility. Fraternally he is identified with the lodge of Modern
Woodmen of America at Chesterfield. Although not connected with any
religious denomination he is a liberal contributor to worthy causes and his
wife is a valued member of the Baptist church.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 98-99.
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